By CESAR JOLITO III

Police Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay, director of the Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), said they will not tolerate any form of cover-up following the surrender of a police officer from the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) after being identified as the primary suspect in the killing of a 42-year-old businesswoman last week.

“There will be no cover-up. We will let the evidence speak for itself,” Ibay said in a statement.

“The full force of the law will be applied regardless of who is involved. Justice will be served to the victim and her family,” he added.

The suspect, an active police officer assigned to BCPO Station 5 — voluntarily surrendered to Ibay at Camp Alfredo M. Montelibano, Sr. in Bacolod City on Saturday, November 1.

According to PRO-NIR, the suspect, accompanied by his legal counsel, admitted his involvement in the disappearance and killing of Kristine Joy “Lotlot” Dignadice, a resident of Negros Occidental’s Victorias City.

He later led investigators to a site he claimed was Dignadice’s burial location.

Members of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, Hinigaran Police Station and Scene of the Crime Operatives proceeded to the identified area, where the remains of Dignadice were positively recovered in a sugarcane field in Bago City’s Barangay Don Jorge Araneta.

Earlier, a gray sedan, registered under Dignadice, was discovered with traces of blood at Sitio So-ol in Hinigaran’s Barangay Gargato on October 29, prompting investigators to suspect foul play.

The victim, a single mother, has a 10-year-old child.

Meanwhile, Ibay described the officer’s surrender as a “significant breakthrough” in the case, as a parallel administrative investigation has been ordered to ensure internal accountability within the police ranks.

“We owe it to the public we serve to demonstrate that no one is above the law. This case will be handled with fairness, professionalism and compassion for the victim’s family,” he added.

Motu proprio probe

National Police Commission (Napolcom) Commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan has directed the Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service to conduct a motu proprio investigation into the case.

Calinisan said Napolcom will take immediate cognizance of the matter, as it involves an active member of the Philippine National Police.

“The Napolcom will ensure that due process is observed and that the erring police officer will be held fully accountable. The administrative case will proceed separately from any criminal proceedings filed before the court,” Calinisan stated.

He also reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to uphold integrity and discipline within the police service.

“We will not allow a single act of brutality to tarnish the honor of the entire organization,” he said.

‘Brutal, inhumane’ killing

In an official statement, the Victorias City government expressed its deepest condolences and outrage over the brutal killing of Dignadice, describing her as “a cherished member of the community whose life was taken in a senseless and inhumane act of violence.”

“This cowardly crime is an attack not only on the victim and her loved ones, but on the peace and humanity we uphold as a community,” the city government said.

“We remain steadfast in ensuring that justice for Lotlot is pursued relentlessly and that no such act of violence will ever be allowed to destroy the sense of safety and compassion that binds our community.”

The local government also vowed to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and provide full assistance to the victim’s family.

Meanwhile, Negros Occidental 3rd District Representative Javier Miguel Benitez, who represents Victorias City in Congress, has also condemned the murder and called for comprehensive government action.

As of press time, authorities continue to determine the motive behind the killing and gather additional evidence for the filing of appropriate charges./CJ, WDJ